Multiple Use Anthropomorphic Bouncing Ball Action Figure Toy

ABSTRACT

The present invention has to do with a multiple use anthropomorphic bouncing ball action figure toy.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application is related to, claims the earliest available effective filing date(s) from (e.g., claims earliest available priority dates for other than provisional patent applications; claims benefits under 35 USC §119(e) for provisional patent applications), and incorporates by reference in its entirety all subject matter of the following listed application(s) (the “Related Applications”) to the extent such subject matter is not inconsistent herewith; the present application also claims the earliest available effective filing date(s) from, and also incorporates by reference in its entirety all subject matter of any and all parent, grandparent, great-grandparent, etc. applications of the Related Application(s) to the extent such subject matter is not inconsistent herewith:

U.S. provisional patent application 61945555 entitled “A Multiple Use Anthropomorphic Bouncing Ball Action Figure Toy”, naming as inventor, John Austin, filed 27 Feb. 2014.

BACKGROUND

1. Field of Use

This invention relates to a transformable toy. More specifically, the invention relates a multiple use, customizable, anthropomorphic bouncing ball action figure toy.

2. Description of Prior Art (Background)

The need for toys that intrigue through being transformable as between two or more configurations is evidenced by U.S. Pat. No. 4,674,990 granted Jun. 23, 1987, entitled “Reconfigurable Toy Assembly”. There, a number of parts are pivotably and movably interconnected to provide a vehicle formed by folding and a robotic, humanoid form by being unfolded. The patent mentions the benefit to children's interest obtained through having such configurable toys and it mentions also the advantages of having such toys which can be transformed with ease by a simple operation and manufactured with low cost.

Another example is taught in U.S. Pat. No. 2,195,127, issued Mar. 26, 1940 and drawn to a reversible doll. There, a doll form has various arms and legs and a pair of heads secured together at common junctures wedded to a reversible skirt so that the doll can be reversed to present two distinctly different visual images. U.S. Pat. No 4,563,159, issued Jan. 7, 1986, presents a toy convertible among multiple configurations, including a stuffed figurine, a stuffed tote bag which recedes entirely within the figurine. U.S. Pat. No. 4,781,648, issued Nov. 1. 1988, deals with a reversible plush toy; having a pair of substantially equal sized fabric skins peripherally secured and configured to selectively expose each skin while inclosing the other skin.

Still another example of a three dimensional transformable toy is taught in U.S. Pat. No. 4,413,442, issued Nov. 8, 1983 which includes embodiments wherein one form of the image of an egg is presented which form can be opened out to provide the image of either a bird or a turtle. Referring to the first configuration as a closed ovid and the second configuration as a fanciful animal figure; change being achieved by passing the bulk of the toy through an opening. A closing means is taught utilizing mateable “VELCRO” strips.

Finally, U.S. Pat. No. 4,062,144, issued Dec. 13, 1977, is included to represent a doll figure having flexible and pivotable arm members with hingedly connected segments and various members are made of foamed material. This patent teaches and refers to other patents including bendable or spring material incorporated in arms and legs and permitting limbs to be moved to various positions.

Even the well know MR. POTATO HEAD is known for a plastic toy figure and detachable plastic body parts for affixing to the toy figure to form various caricatures. However, once the detachable plastic body parts are detached from the potato-like body, the toy more or less ceases to function as a toy.

Thus, there exists a need for a multiple use anthropomorphic bouncing ball action figure toy.

BRIEF SUMMARY

The foregoing and other problems are overcome, and other advantages are realized, in accordance with the presently preferred embodiments of these teachings.

The reconfigurable toy action figure described herein is designed to be thrown, bounced, launched, rolled, switched, rotated and/or spun. accessorized with anthropomorphic features (e.g., removable arms, legs, body trunk), and accessorized with play environments (e.g., toy battle or sports arenas, toy vehicles (e.g., jeeps, cars, planes). The ball, or figure “head” is designed to represent a recognizable face type, such as, for example, a helmeted football player, a masked wrestler, a helmeted soldier, or any suitable face type.

The invention is also directed towards a toy assembly having a ball shaped head and an attachable base. The ball shaped head includes a hole and a predetermined curvature. The base includes a pole for inserting into said hole and at least one appendage, wherein the at least one appendage is adaptable to receiving an accessory. The base includes an interchangeable three dimensional torso shape having a top shape and a bottom shape and three dimensional feet shape positioned on the underside of the torso bottom shape; and a pedestal base. A button hole is positioned on the underside of the feet shape. The button hole can be fitted with a corresponding numbered removable or fixed button or other identifying marking, e.g., name, letters, or game strength or priority markings. The top shape of the three dimension torso comprises a curvature substantially equal to the predetermined curvature of the ball. The pedestal base includes a button hole on one side for receiving and holding a removable or fixed button or other identifying marking or other attachments.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The subject matter which is regarded as the invention is particularly pointed out and distinctly claimed in the claims at the conclusion of the specification. The foregoing and other objects, features, and advantages of the invention are apparent from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which:

FIGS. 1A-1D are side, front, and back pictorial illustrations of one embodiment of the invention;

FIGS. 2A-2D are side, front, and back pictorial illustrations of one football embodiment of the invention;

FIGS. 3A-3D are side, front, and back pictorial illustrations of another embodiment of the invention;

FIGS. 4A-4D are side, front, and back pictorial illustrations of one uniform embodiment of the invention;

FIGS. 5A-5E are side, front, back, and bottom, respectively, pictorial illustrations of one spaceman embodiment of the invention;

FIGS. 6A-6F are top, left, front, bottom, right, and back pictorial illustrations, respectively, of an alternate pedestal embodiment; and

FIG. 6G is a bottom view of a head in accordance with the invention described herein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The following brief definition of terms shall apply throughout the application:

The term “comprising” means including but not limited to, and should be interpreted in the manner it is typically used in the patent context;

The phrases “in one embodiment,” “according to one embodiment,” and the like generally mean that the particular feature, structure, or characteristic following the phrase may be included in at least one embodiment of the present invention, and may be included in more than one embodiment of the present invention (importantly, such phrases do not necessarily refer to the same embodiment);

If the specification describes something as “exemplary” or an “example,” it should be understood that refers to a non-exclusive example; and

If the specification states a component or feature “may,” “can,” “could,” “should,” “preferably,” “possibly,” “typically,” “optionally,” “for example,” or “might” (or other such language) be included or have a characteristic, that particular component or feature is not required to be included or to have the characteristic.

Referring now to FIG. 1, there is shown side, front, and back pictorial illustrations of one embodiment of the invention. Included are head 10 and base 12. Head 10 is suitably a round ball comprising suitable material, such as, for example, a vulcanized polybutadiene as described in U.S. Pat. No. 3,241,834 A and incorporated here by reference. Likewise base 12 may be any suitable material such as, for example, plastic. Base 12 also forms feet and torso to match the head design; but, can be interchanged with other heads as will be described herein.

Still referring to FIG. 1 base 12 also includes appendages, such as, for example, arms and hands 15. It will be appreciated that hands 15 are curved so as to form a receiving hole or slot for receiving accessories as will be described herein.

Likewise, base 12 also includes a slot or pole 14 for connecting the base 12 to the head 10. Slot 14 may be any suitable shape, such as a narrow slot for inserting into a narrow hole (not shown) in head 10.

It will be appreciated that when base 12 is not inserted into head 10, head 10 is a ball comprised of a suitable bouncing ball material such as vulcanized polybutadiene and may played with as a ball in a conventional manner.

Referring also to FIGS. 2A-2D there are shown side, front, and back pictorial illustrations of one football embodiment of the invention.

Head 20 is suitably a round ball comprising suitable material, such as, for example, a vulcanized polybutadiene as described in U.S. Pat. No. 3,241,834 A and incorporated here by reference. Likewise base 22 may be any suitable material such as, for example, plastic. Base 22 also forms feet and torso to match the head design; but, can be interchanged with other heads as will be described herein.

Still referring to FIG. 2 base 22 also includes appendages, such as, for example, arms and hands. It will be appreciated that hands 24A are curved so as to form a receiving hole or slot for receiving accessories as will be described herein. For example, football 24 may include a post (not shown) adapted to fit hands 24A.

Likewise, base 22 also includes a slot or pole 22A for connecting the base 22 to the head 20. Slot 22A may be any suitable shape, such as a narrow slot for inserting into a narrow hole (not shown) in head 20.

Referring also to FIGS. 3A-3D there are shown side, front, and back pictorial illustrations of one football embodiment of the invention.

Head 30 is suitably a ball shape having a predetermined curvature and comprising suitable material, such as, for example, a vulcanized polybutadiene as described in U.S. Pat. No. 3,241,834 A and incorporated here by reference. Likewise three dimensional base 32 may be any suitable material such as, for example, plastic. Base 32 also forms feet and torso to match the head design; but, can be interchanged with other heads as will be described herein.

Still referring to FIG. 3 base 32 also includes appendages, such as, for example, arms and hands 32A. It will be appreciated that hands 32A are curved so as to form a receiving hole or slot for receiving accessories as will be described herein.

Likewise, base 32 also includes a slot or pole 34 for connecting the base 32 to the head 30. Three dimensional base may have a depressed top portion having a curvature suitable to mating with the head's predetermined curvature. Slot 34 may be any suitable shape, such as a narrow slot for inserting into a narrow hole (not shown) in head 30.

Referring also to FIGS. 4A-4D there are shown side, front, and back pictorial illustrations of one uniform embodiment of the invention.

Head 40 is suitably a round ball comprising suitable material, such as, for example, a vulcanized polybutadiene as described in U.S. Pat. 3,241,834 A and incorporated here by reference. Likewise base 42 may be any suitable material such as, for example, plastic. Base 42 also forms feet and torso to match the head design; but, can be interchanged with other heads as will be described herein.

Still referring to FIG. 4A-4D base 42 also includes appendages, such as, for example, arms and hands 48B. It will be appreciated that hands 48B are curved so as to form a receiving hole or slot for receiving accessories as will be described herein. For example, gun accessory 46 may include a post 48A adapted to fit hands 48B.

Likewise, base 42 also includes a slot or pole 44 for connecting the base 42 to the head 40. Slot 44 may be any suitable shape, such as a narrow slot for inserting into a narrow hole (not shown) in head 40.

Base 42 includes a torso shape 42C, feet shape 42B, and appendage(s) 42D. Torso shape 42C includes a top shape 42A having a curvature substantially matching the curvature of ball 40. The torso shape 42C includes a bottom shape 42B wherein feet shape 42B are fixedly or demountably attached; or are contiguous with torso shape 42C and form a single base 42.

Referring also to FIGS. 5A-5D there are shown side, front, and back pictorial illustrations of one spaceman uniform embodiment of the invention.

Head 50 is suitably a round ball comprising suitable material, such as, for example, a vulcanized polybutadiene as described in U.S. Pat. No. 3,241,834 A and incorporated here by reference. Likewise base 52 may be any suitable material such as, for example, plastic. Base 42 also forms feet and torso to match the head design; but, can be interchanged with other heads as will be described herein.

Still referring to FIGS. 5A-5D base 52 also includes appendages, such as, for example, arms and hands 58B. It will be appreciated that hands 58B are curved so as to form a receiving hole or slot for receiving accessories as will be described herein. For example, gun accessory 56 may include a post 58A adapted to fit hands 58B.

Likewise, base 52 also includes a slot or pole 54 for connecting the base 52 to the head 50. Slot 54 may be any suitable shape, such as a narrow slot for inserting into a narrow hole (not shown) in head 50 (see head 61 in FIG. 6G).

Base 52 also includes a depression or button hole 5E1. Hole 5E1 may be any suitable depth to hold a button or badge pressed into button hole 6E1.

Referring also to FIGS. 6A-6D are top, left, front, bottom, right, and back pictorial illustrations, respectively, of an alternate pedestal base embodiment 60. FIG. 6A is a top view of the pedestal embodiment. Appendages, such as, for example, arms 6A2 and hands 6A3 may be adapted so as to form a receiving hole or slot 6A5 for receiving accessories as will be described herein. For example, gun accessory 56 shown earlier may include a post 58A adapted to fit hands 6A3.

Pedestal base 60 may be any suitable material such as, for example, plastic. Base 60 also torso (6A1-top view; 6C1-front view; 6E2-side view; 6F2-rear view) to match the head design; but, can be interchanged with other heads as will be described herein. Torso 6C1 also includes a top shape 6A41 having a curvature substantially similar to ball 40 such that ball 40 fits snugly on pedestal base 60. In addition, torso 6C1 includes a bottom shape 6C1A wherein pedestal shape 6B1 is fixedly or demountably attached; or is contiguous with torso shape 6C1 and forms a single pedestal base 60.

Pedestal base 60 also includes a pole 6A4 for connecting the base 60 to the head 50 (shown earlier). Pole 6A4 may be any suitable shape, such as round pole for inserting into a corresponding receiving hole 6G1 in head 61.

Pedestal base 60 also includes bottom 6D1 shown in FIG. 6D. Bottom 6D1 may be any suitable material such as non-slip and/or non-marring rubber. Referring also to FIGS. 6E and 6F there is shown a depression or button hole 6E1. Hole 6E1 may be any suitable depth to hold a button or badge pressed into button hole 6E1.

It should be understood that the foregoing description is only illustrative of the invention. Thus, various alternatives and modifications can be devised by those skilled in the art without departing from the invention. For example, any base described herein may be mixed/matched with any head described herein. Accordingly, the present invention is intended to embrace all such alternatives, modifications and variances that fall within the scope of the appended claims. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A toy assembly comprising; a ball shaped head, wherein the ball shaped head comprises a hole; a predetermined curvature; and a base, wherein the base comprises: a pole for inserting into said hole; at least one appendage, wherein the at least one appendage is adaptable to receiving an accessory.
 2. The toy assembly as in claim 1 wherein the base comprises: a three dimensional torso shape having a top shape and a bottom shape; a three dimensional feet shape positioned on the underside of the torso bottom shape; a button bole positioned on the underside of the feet shape; and wherein the top shape of the three dimension torso comprises a curvature substantially equal to the predetermined curvature.
 3. The toy assembly as in claim 2 wherein the base further comprises a windup mechanism.
 4. The toy assembly as in claim 1 wherein the base comprises: a second three dimensional torso shape having a top shape and a bottom shape; a three dimensional pedestal base positioned on the underside of the torso bottom shape; a second button hole on a back side of the pedestal base; and wherein the top shape of the second three dimension torso comprises a second curvature substantially equal to the predetermined curvature. 